While gaming is now considered an essential form of entertainment in both Canada and the United States, preferences, and trends continue to take different shapes related to cultural, regulatory, and technological drivers. Below we will look at the differences in gaming behaviors across the broader gaming industry and the preferences between these neighboring countries.
iGaming
The iGaming industries in Canada and the U.S. are shaped significantly by their respective regulatory environments. While gambling in Canada is first and foremost a matter of provincial concern and regulation, that means some provinces operate their own online casinos, while others permit access to international sites.
Whereas Ontario, for example, has implemented an entirely regulated online gambling market and has a thriving market, other provinces allow access to internationally licensed sites. Canadians enjoy typical iGaming options like roulette, poker, and slots—with one 2024 report indicating that slots are the most popular type of casino game in land-based casinos across Canada.
For those wanting to try out this game from the comfort of their homes, according to gaming expert Sergio Zammit, players should only play on sites that have been professionally reviewed for their safety. Slot sites like these ones usually also come with the best perks, like faster payouts, better welcome bonuses, and a wider gaming range.
On the other hand, in the US, iGaming is regulated by states. This has resulted in a mixed regulatory regime where most states only allow online sports betting, a handful of states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey have a fully regulated and lucrative iGaming market, and some states like Texas offer no legalized iGaming at all. For most US iGamers, slots and poker have proven to be the game of choice.
Traditional Video Gaming Outlook
The video gaming industries in both countries have experienced substantial growth. The U.S. market, being larger, continues to expand, driven by advancements in technology and a growing gamer population.
However, Canada is projected to achieve a revenue of US$3,925 million in 2024, and an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.43% from 2024 to 2027. About 61% of the population in Canada engages in video gaming, with quite a varied demographic across different age brackets.
The average Canadian gamer spends about 7.9 hours per week playing video games, indicating a balanced integration of gaming into daily life. American gamers spend more time per week gaming compared to Canadian gamers, showing a more immersive gaming culture in the nation. The average American spends about 13 hours every week playing video games.
It should be considered that this trend of gaming could be different within the various demographics. For example, younger adults spend more time gaming compared to their older counterparts.
Gaming Preferences: Genre and Platform Choices
Canadian gamers show a statistical preference for action and casual games, with titles like “Assassin’s Creed” and “Candy Crush” enjoying widespread popularity. This preference aligns with a desire for both immersive storytelling and accessible, quick-play experiences.
In the U.S., first-person shooters and sports games dominate the gaming landscape. Franchises such as “Call of Duty” and “Madden NFL” consistently top sales charts, reflecting a cultural affinity for competitive and sports-related gaming experiences.
Both Canadian and American gamers prefer consoles and PCs for their gaming. Mobile gaming, however, stands a chance of growing within Canada with a projected increase of about $2.8 billion in mobile gaming revenue by 2025. This is a result of the convenience and accessibility brought forth by the platform for casual gaming on the go.
VR Gaming
The USA has emerged as a land of vital growth in the industry of VR (Virtual Reality) Gaming. The VR gaming market was valued at $6.26 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $53.44 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 31.4% during the forecast period.
This growth is attributed to improvements in technology, growing interest by consumers, and significant investment in the industry from major tech players. Canada’s VR gaming market is also growing, just on a smaller scale. The Canadian AR and VR market annual growth rate is expected to reach 12.33% from 2023 to 2028.
Gaming Demographics and Tendencies
The average age of gamers in Canada is 39 years old. Meanwhile, interestingly, the gender split favors women at 51% to 49% of men according to a 2022 survey, though there are still complaints over inclusivity.
In the U.S., the average age is younger at 35 years old while the respective gender split is 59% for males and 41% for females.
Canadian gamers are more inclined to spend money on in-game purchases. According to a survey carried out from December 2023 to January 2024, 59% of high-value mobile gaming spenders in Canada spent money in-game for this very purpose.
A significant share of gamers in the U.S. likewise microtransactions. One recent study suggested that 82% of gamers conducted microtransactions in 2023 alone, which would indicate that a majority of all adults have, at least once, spent money on free-to-play games.
